Time for a plug change?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 8, 2010 | 03:30 PM

#16

bob schulz

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 71

Likes: 0

Gearbanger, at what time did the 4.6 heads gain more threads for the spark plugs? I read somewhere that a mere four threads held the plugs in, and then at some time, Ford changed the heads so that nine threads hold the plugs.

Most blown plug complaints seem earlier than '04.

Jan 8, 2010 | 03:59 PM

#17

HYPO

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 132

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by motown

A little tip to lower your chances of broken plugs. I ran Marvel mystry oil in every tank of gas a month prior to me changing mine. Every plug came out with great ease. MMO has mint oil, which disolves carbon, which will allow the plugs to turn in the head, without breaking. A couple of other people have done this and have had the same results.

I did the same and my plugs came out without a squeek or groan. In fact, they came out so easy, I was convinced I had broken them on the first 1/8 turn. On the last 3 or 4 plugs I just broke them loose, put the carb cleaner in, waited maybe 30 minutes, then unscrewed them pretty much by hand turning the plug socket. I did buy that socket with the attached extension, it seems to keep itself aligned in the plug well, preventing you from canting the socket which may be a contributer to breakage.

Don't know if it was the socket, the Marvel Mystry Oil, the carb cleaner, or the combination of all of the above. I do know that I was very pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I installed the Champion 7989's with the antiseize, truck is running well for 5000 miles now and life is good.

HYPO

Jan 8, 2010 | 04:24 PM

#18

Gearbanger 101

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 434

Likes: 0

From: Ontario, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob schulz

Yeah, I believe in '03 they upped the thread count. It seems to have reduced the incidents of plug blow out greatly, but over on the Mustang board I moderate, there are still a few who've had to instal a Time-sert(s) in after having one or more work their way loose and screw the threads.